DSS Drags Prof. Pat Utomi to Court Over Constitution of Shadow Government

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a legal case against Professor Patrick Utomi, a former presidential candidate, accusing him of attempting to establish a shadow government in Nigeria. The case, which was brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleges that Utomi’s actions are an attempt to illegally undermine the authority of President Bola Tinubu and disrupt the country’s political stability.

In the legal charge marked FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, the DSS claims that Utomi’s actions could destabilize the nation by creating chaos. The security agency argues that the formation of a shadow government not only violates the Constitution but also poses a significant threat to the democratically elected government. According to the DSS, such a structure could provoke political unrest, increase intergroup tensions, and embolden unlawful actors or separatist groups to form similar parallel structures, ultimately jeopardizing national security.

Professor Utomi is the sole defendant in the case, which is being led by a legal team headed by Mr. Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN. Among the reliefs sought by the DSS, the court is being asked to declare the planned shadow government unconstitutional, as it would amount to the creation of an unrecognized parallel authority. The DSS also requests the court to affirm that any government structure not in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is null and void.

Furthermore, the DSS is seeking a permanent injunction to prevent Professor Utomi, his associates, and agents from continuing with plans to establish a shadow government or any similar structure that is not authorized by the Nigerian Constitution.